What is going on at Manchester City, the club that are now situated in what has been called “Middle Eastlands”? Rearrange the following: “have taken over”, “the lunatics” and “the asylum” and you will not be far out.

If the new Arab owners are not careful — not that, sadly, they will be particularly aware of this — they could swiftly destroy everything that they are trying to create. Offering a reported fee of £95 million and wages of £500,000 a week to tempt Kaká from AC Milan is ludicrous.

Straight away, the only reason that the brilliant Brazilian would consider joining a mediocre team lying in fifteenth place in the Barclays Premier League becomes crystal clear: the money. What other reason could there be and what basis is that for a harmonious long-term relationship? None, of course.

Were Kaká to arrive in England, his massive salary would not necessarily upset most of his new City team-mates. They would appreciate his star quality, what he could bring to the table.

Hughes must stand up and stop Kaka bid

Manager must know it is not yet time to bid for the Brazilian and that such a high-profile new arrival will only add to club's woes

• Manchester City's limitless riches start to tempt Kaka

• City may need to adapt more than the magical Brazilian

• Media call Kaka bid ‘madness’ and ‘unrefusable’

BACKGROUND

• Kaka: superstar with vision but no vices

• Italian media aghast at City's Kaka offer

• Analysis: Oliver Kay

• Man City launch £91m Kaka bid

Multimedia

• Debate: is the Kaka bid marvellous or madness?

• Times Archive: Manchester City

BACKGROUND

• City Kaka quest shows new world order

• City may have to wait for Santa Cruz

• Hughes finds clubs adding 'City premium'

• Hughes told his job is safe by City owners

Related Links

• City's limitless riches start to tempt Kaka

• City may need to adapt more than Brazilian

• Media: Kaka bid ‘madness’ and ‘unrefusable’

The jealousy would be minimal. Only the average players, those whose egos outweigh their ability, might be miffed about their financial lot in comparison.

The effect on morale, though, could be devastating. All of the players — except Robinho, perhaps — would suddenly realise that they were dispensable. They might be out the door at any minute, gone, no longer part of the dream. That is not exactly going to generate team spirit, is it?

What City should be doing is rebuilding shrewdly and slowly as, I’m sure, Mark Hughes, their manager, would like to do. Buy the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Craig Bellamy . . . then home in on a top-eight finish . . . then go for a Champions League place.

Then, and only then, do you go mad, bring in your world superstar, the icing on the cake, as Sir Alex Ferguson has done so successfully at Old Trafford, across the city.

City are aiming too high too soon and it is dangerous. There is no need to jump so quickly, no need to make such a quantum leap at this moment. No normal-thinking manager would want to do this. Talk about trying to run before you can walk.

OK, it does not bear the fingerprints of Hughes — and I have much sympathy for him — but even though he may believe that his position is in jeopardy, he has to stand up to the owners.

I’m sorry, but this is all so typical. It is yet another lamentable tale of people who know nothing about football. Sheikh Mansour and his advisers have got it badly wrong, but is there anyone out there brave enough to tell them? I doubt it.